Big South Fork, NRRA

Rainy May: on track to be the wettest May ever

May 8, 2009 by cartography

Spring is typically a wet month. However over the past week, Eastern Kentucky has experienced unusual rainfall amounts. The record for the month is 10.78 inches in 2004; and no other year has been above 10 inches for May. The only year that saw over 9 inches of rainfall for May was in 1995. May during 1983 and 1984 were the only times over 7 inches of rainfall.

From the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky:

"2 TO 5 INCHES OF RAIN HAS FALLEN ACROSS EASTERN KENTUCKY DURING THE
MONTH OF MAY. THIS IS OF INTEREST...SINCE WE ARE ONLY ABOUT ONE
QUARTER OF THE WAY THROUGH THE MONTH. HEAVY RAINFALL IS VERY
POSSIBLE AS WE HEAD INTO MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND AND COULD PUSH RAINFALL
AMOUNTS UP ANOTHER INCH OR TWO.

THE AVERAGE PRECIPITATION FOR THE MONTH OF MAY AT THE JACKSON
WEATHER OFFICE IS 4.92 INCHES. WE HAVE ALL READY RECORDED 4.12
INCHES OF RAINFALL AS OF THIS MORNING AT 7AM. IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL
...BUT WE ARE CERTAINLY ON TRACK TO HAVE ONE OF THE RAINIEST MAYS
EVER. THE RAINIEST MAY OCCURRED IN 2004 WHEN THE JACKSON WEATHER
OFFICE RECORDED 10.78 INCHES FOR THE MONTH. THIS WAS THE ONLY MONTH
OF MAY THAT OVER TEN INCHES OF RAIN FELL. MAY OF 1995 HAD 9.91
INCHES AND WAS THE ONLY MONTH WITH OVER 9 INCHES RECORDED. THE NEXT
HIGHEST TOTALS WERE OVER 7 INCHES AND THAT OCCURRED IN ONLY TWO
YEARS...1983 AND 1984.

HERE ARE RAINFALL TOTALS FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY COOPERATIVE WEATHER
STATIONS AND AUTOMATED SURFACE OBSERVING SYSTEMS AS OF 7 AM
EDT...FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2009.


LOCATIONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  /Â Â  COUNTYÂ Â Â Â  /Â Â Â Â  PRECIPITATION


BARBOURVILLEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  KNOXÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.38Â  INCHES
BAXTERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  HARLANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.85Â  INCHES
BEATTYVILLE 4NÂ Â Â Â Â Â  LEEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.68Â  INCHES
BIG SHELBYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  PIKEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.01Â  INCHES
BOONEVILLE 1SEÂ Â Â Â Â Â  OWSLEYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.49Â  INCHES
BUCKHORN LAKEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â  PERRYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.80Â  INCHES
CARR CREEK LAKEÂ Â Â Â Â  KNOTTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.73Â  INCHES
CAVE RUN LAKEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â  ROWANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.28Â  INCHES
CLAY CITY 1WNWÂ Â Â Â Â Â  POWELLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.77Â  INCHES
CLOSPLINT 4ESEÂ Â Â Â Â Â  HARLANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.55Â  INCHES
COLOÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  PULASKIÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.98Â  INCHES
CRESSYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  ESTILLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.59Â  INCHES
DRAFFINÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  PIKEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.54Â  INCHES
EZELÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  MORGANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.31Â  INCHES
GIMLETÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  ELLIOTTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.60Â  INCHES
HARLAN 1SÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  HARLANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.80Â  INCHES
HARLAN STATE POLICEÂ  HARLANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.95Â  INCHES
HAZARD WATERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  PERRYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.71Â  INCHES
HAZARDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  PERRYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.70Â  INCHES
HAZARD STATE POLICEÂ  PERRYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.95Â  INCHES
HEIDELBERG 2NÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â  LEEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.05Â  INCHES
BAXTERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  HARLANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.85Â  INCHES
INEZ 2EÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  MARTINÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.78Â  INCHES
ISLAND CITYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  OWSLEYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  5.16Â  INCHES
IVELÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  FLOYDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.27Â  INCHES
NWS JACKSONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  BREATHITTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.12Â  INCHES
JEREMIAH 1SÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  LETCHERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.11Â  INCHES
KINGDOM COME ST PARK HARLANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.12Â  INCHES
LONDON CORBIN APTÂ Â Â  LAURELÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.46Â  INCHES
MONTICELLO 3NEÂ Â Â Â Â Â  WAYNEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.00Â  INCHES
MOUNT STERLING 5NÂ Â Â  MONTGOMERYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.41Â  INCHES
MOUNT VERNONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  ROCKCASTLEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.77Â  INCHES
ONEIDAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  CLAYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.54Â  INCHES
PAINTSVILLE 1EÂ Â Â Â Â Â  JOHNSONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.55Â  INCHES
PIKEVILLE ST POLICEÂ  PIKEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.05Â  INCHES
PRESTONSBURG 3NWÂ Â Â Â  FLOYDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.09Â  INCHES
QUICKSANDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  BREATHITTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.52Â  INCHES
RELIEFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  MORGANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.18Â  INCHES
ROGERSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  WOLFEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.82Â  INCHES
SALYERSVILLEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  MAGOFFINÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.28Â  INCHES
SANDY HOOKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  ELLIOTTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.67Â  INCHES
SKYLINEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  LETCHERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.20Â  INCHES
SLADE 5NEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  POWELLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.86Â  INCHES
SOMERSET 2NÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  PULASKIÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.74Â  INCHES
STANTON 2WÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  POWELLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.88Â  INCHES
STEARNS 2SÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  MCCREARYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  5.09Â  INCHES
VICTORY 5NWÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  LAURELÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  4.13Â  INCHES
WEST LIBERTY 3NWÂ Â Â Â  MORGANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.67Â  INCHES
WEST LIBERTY 11NWÂ Â Â  MORGANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.57Â  INCHES
WHITESBURGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  LETCHERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  2.50Â  INCHES
WHITESBURG 2SEÂ Â Â Â Â Â  LETCHERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  3.21Â  INCHES
WILLIAMSBURG 1NWÂ Â Â Â  WHITLEYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  5.14Â  INCHES


THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT JACKSON WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE
DEDICATED COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVERS FOR THEIR TIMELY REPORTS."

Filed Under: Big South Fork, NRRA, Cave Run Lake, DBNF, Cumberland Gap, NHP, News, Red River Gorge, Sheltowee Trace, Weather

(raw) 3D map of Eastern Kentucky

April 16, 2009 by cartography

As we gear up for the Sheltowee Trace topographic map, I thought it would be interesting to see if a complete 3d map of the ST could be printed. Unfortunately, it would have to be a huge sheet of paper to get the detail necessary for a good map. But as an online viewer, I see potential. This sample is a raw render output and you can see well the basic physiography. Now we just need to add trails, transportation, labels, etc….nothing too much, just about 6,000 sq. mi. for the Daniel Boone NF.

Explore this map through a zoomable flash map

Filed Under: Big South Fork, NRRA, Cave Run Lake, DBNF, News, Red River Gorge, Sheltowee Trace

Why we use aerial photography

April 2, 2009 by cartography

Many customers ask us why we use aerial photography. Often it’s hard for some readers to understand because of terrain inversion. Let’s take a Q&A with a real customer:

Customer, “Hi guys. I just wonder if anyone has ever discussed with you the fact that the shading on your maps appears to be reversed. That is, the high points appear like low points and vice versa, if one is looking at the map oriented to north. If one turns the map around, so it is oriented to south, then everything looks correct. So, my guess is simply that the shading is on the wrong side of the ridges. ”

Our response, “Thanks for asking a question that has popped up a few times. In the mapping biz, it’s called terrain inversion and it is a problem sustained by tradition. Before aerial photography, most terrains were shaded as if the sun was in the upper-left corner. This was established as cartographic tradition because we read from upper-left to lower-right.

This worked fine until aerial photography became used as base maps. In the northern hemisphere, and especially at our latitude, the sun is never shines from the north. All of our shadows fall from south to north, completely opposite to how they’re depicted on most conventional maps. Cartographers in the southern hemisphere think we’re crazy up here moving the sun around to accommodate tradition at expense of reality. But they have the advantage of sun always being in the upper quadrants, thus giving the type of illumination you’re probably used to.

But we use aerial photography in most of our maps, because it is reality and at the right scale is far superior to an artificial hillshade in our opinion for couple reasons. You can see areas that are really in shadow, which indicate different plant communities. You can see canopy type, density, and other indicators for type of forest. If you’re a photographer, these images show depth and lines of shadow, helping you predict the kind of light you want for a photo. Finally, if you have take an aerial photo up high to orient, you can do so by shadows.

Detail from our Big South Fork map with aerial photography. Note the north facing cliffs are in shadow, just as in found in the wild.

So in my defense, I say it’s all about sunlight. I understand your problems and trust me, it has stirred the anger of my peers at cartography conferences. We’ve been flamed on blogs for this apparent flaw, but in our humble opinion, an aerial photo is not the problem, it’s tradition.

It’s sounds like you have a lot of experience with maps, and I respect your opinion. However, I think if you get used to aerial photography, you’ll find distinct advantages. Also in defense of tradition, I did illuminate our recent map, Trail Atlas of the Great Smokies from the NW. That map does not use aerial photography so it was an easy decision.”

Filed Under: Big South Fork, NRRA, News

Big South Fork Trails

February 24, 2009 by cartography

The trails in the Big South Fork are were not impacted by the ice storm that hit the northern portions of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Hikers have reported excellent trail conditions, though fording Rock Creek or the Big South might be a little cold and water levels high this time of year.

Filed Under: Big South Fork, NRRA

Big South Fork Trail Guide, 2nd Edition

November 14, 2007 by cartography

We’ve added a new map and packaging to our Big South Fork trail guide. Our new map is a 1:126,720 scale trail map of the entire Big South Fork area including the trails around Stearns in the Daniel Boone National Forest and the new horse and multi-purpose trails along Darrow Ridge.

The map is sized at 13.5 x 18.5 inches and is 2-spot colors, black and a metallic ink that looks similar to anodized aluminum. The metallic ink has the useful property of shining under a headlamp and makes reading the trails easier in low light conditions. The map has a 2-minute GPS graticule for navigation and geocaching. The map shows all recreation areas for park and adjoining public lands from Straight Creek in the Daniel Boone NF to Peters Ford in the Big South Fork. On the reverse, we have our classic 3D map of the park.

For the new packaging, we’ve added a 2-color cardstock overwrap that makes a more impressive retail display. The wrap describes the historic trail signs that you might find in the Big South Fork. Gone are the rustic old wooden stencil-painted signs. Over the next year, the park will replace the original trail signage with new blazes and trailhead markers. The blazes are recycled plastic tags that indestructible and hardly distracting since they’re hard to see. While I prefer the old wooden signs, I understand the new signage will be easier to maintain and is more informative at trailheads.

Big South Fork

Filed Under: Big South Fork, NRRA

Grand Gap Loop – John Muir Trail

July 9, 2007 by cartography Leave a Comment

Hiker Big South Fork Map

Distance: 6 Miles round-trip from Leatherwood Ford
Difficulty: ++
Scenic Views: ++++
Elevation Relief: 525ft ^

Ownership: Big South Fork, NPS

Google to trailhead & coordinates

Big South Fork Trail Map: $12

The hike from Leatherwood Ford along the John Muir Trail to the Grand Gap Loop trail is one of the most scenic river walks in the park. Contrasting the views of wildflowers and Fall Branch creek are the gorge overlooks found along the 4 mile stretch of Grand Gap Trail that hugs the cliffline above the river. The notable vista is the Angel Falls overlook and many deep pools in the river for swimming and fishing. You might find other happy day hikers and backpackers who shuttle from Bandy Creek Campground and hike the 12 miles from Leatherwood Ford back to the campground.

Photographs

Filed Under: Big South Fork, NRRA Tagged With: Hiking Maps

Rainy May: on track to be the wettest May ever

(raw) 3D map of Eastern Kentucky

Why we use aerial photography

Big South Fork Trails

Big South Fork Trail Guide, 2nd Edition

Grand Gap Loop – John Muir Trail

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